News,Rail | 168 days ago |

The National Chamber Foundation, the non-profit think tank of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, presented Union Pacific Railroad the Hiring Our Heroes Award for Post 9/11 Veteran Employment and Internships.

The company was nominated by a variety of non-profit and veteran services organizations for its commitment to hiring and supporting military veterans. Union Pacific was the only railroad to win a Hiring Our Heroes award.

More than 7,000 Union Pacific employees hired since 9/11 have military experience. Overall, about 20 percent of the company’s 45,000 employees are veterans.

“Union Pacific has a solid track record of hiring veterans,” said Barb Schaefer, Union Pacific senior vice president – Human Resources. “In fact, 25 percent of new hires during the last four years have military experience. These employees exemplify commitment and strong work ethic, and we are proud so many veterans choose to make a career of railroading.”

Hiring Our Heroes awards recognize businesses that have gone above and beyond to honor the sacrifices America’s military families make in their service to the nation.

Awards were presented in five categories: Veteran and Military Spouse Employment; Small Business Veteran and Military Spouse; Wounded Warrior Employment Transition Assistance; Women Veteran and Military Spouse Employment Award; and Post-9/11 Veteran Employment and Internships.

In addition to being recognized by the National Chamber Foundation, Union Pacific was selected by Military Times EDGE as a Best for Vets 2011 Employer, ranking as Platinum, the highest category, and was named to G.I. Jobs’ 2012 Military Friendly Employers list.

Earlier this year, Fortune named Union Pacific the most admired company among trucking, transportation and logistics companies, and Diversity Careers in Engineering and Information Technology recognized the railroad as a Best Diversity Company for the third consecutive year.

Source: UPR